Lead Thermal Architect for Space Data Centers

blueorigin; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 206,000 - 288,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Education support

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking a senior thermal engineer to own the thermal architecture for a high‑power spacecraft. You will lead design, analysis, testing, and flight execution of thermal control systems, while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating across the team.

This hands‑on leadership role combines technical contribution with team leadership, requiring autonomy and rapid prototyping, ground testing, and in‑orbit validation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of hands-on thermal engineering including design, analysis, hardware development, and test.
• Proficiency with Thermal Desktop, Ansys or similar thermal analysis tools.
• Experience with passive and active thermal control in demanding environments (space, data centers, industrial).
• Ability to lead and mentor junior engineers while staying hands-on.

Responsibilities

• Own the thermal architecture across the spacecraft, both active and passive.
• Design the thermal systems from computing interfaces to radiators.
• Lead trades on performance, mass, cost, reliability, manufacturability, and schedule.
• Prototype novel concepts, test rapidly on the ground, and validate in orbit.
• Model and correlate thermal models against test and flight data.
• Deliver flight hardware end-to-end from concept to integration and launch.

Skills

Thermal engineering

Thermal analysis tools

Leadership/mentoring

Spacecraft thermal management

Hands-on hardware

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Thermal Desktop

Ansys

Job description

Blue Origin is seeking a senior thermal engineer to own the thermal architecture for a high‑power spacecraft. You will lead design, analysis, testing, and flight execution of thermal control systems, while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating across the team.

This hands‑on leadership role combines technical contribution with team leadership, requiring autonomy and rapid prototyping, ground testing, and in‑orbit validation.